Vacuum cleaner construction



'Nov 21, 1944.

e. D. JAQUITH :rm.

VACUUM CLEANER CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 17, 1940 I... I iii I 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORE- 6' a r E- 5 Bv/Zv%- .zfiii'i' Nov. 21,1944. s.D. JAQUITH ETAL' 2,363,002

- VACUUM CLEANER cousmucnou- Filed Sept. 17, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 figORNEY v Patented Nov; 21, 1944 UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE 2,363,002,VAC'UUM CLEANER cNs'raUc'rIoN George D. Jaquith and.Keith N. Elliott,Minne apolis; Minn., assignors to Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company,Detroit, -Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application September '17,1940, Serial No. 357,148

\ 29 Claims. This invention relates to converter tool attachments forvacuum cleaners.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a, new and improvedform of converter tool attachment for a vacuum cleaner.

Another object of the invention is to provide a converter toolattachment for a vacuum cleaner which is adapted to break thecommunication between the, suction creating means of the vacuum 'and thenozzle and also to break the driv-' ing connection between the drivingmeans and the surface covering agitator or surface cleaning member.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means which will enablea floor type vacuum cleaner to be converted into a suction cleaner moreexpeditiously than the devices heretofore available for this purpose.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from aconsideration of the following specification'taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings of which there are two (2) sheets and wherein:

Fig. l is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through a portion of asuction cleaner now Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken alongthe line 5-5 of Fi 2;

Fig. 6- is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2 and illustrating therelationship of the converter tool attachment to the-cleaner with thebelt drive disconnected and with the suction to the floor-engagingnozzle cut off;-

Fig. 7 is a, vertical section taken along the line '|--'I of Fig. 6; and

Fig. Sis a horizontal section taken along'the line 8-4 of Fig. 6

Referring now to Fig. 1-, there is illustrated portion of a'vacuum orsuction cleaner-of a.

type now available on the market and which consists ,of; a casing I0having a motor chamber II, a fan chamber. and a nozzle IS, the casingbeing supported fo'r'movement over the floor upon a plurality of wheelssuch as l8 adjustably mounted upon a. shaft so that the-clearancebetween the mouth 22 of the nozzle and the- 10 the fan chamber.

air is discharged-into a suitable dust collecting surface upon which thewheels move may be adjusted. An electric motor 24 is arranged in the vmotor chamber and has aflixed to the shaft 26 thereof and within the fanchamber M a fan' I8 which, together with the chamber, comprises asuction creating means. The wall 28 between the fan chamber l4 and thenozzle I6 is provided with a central circular opening 30 about the shaft26 for admitting air from the nozzle Hi to From the fan chamber thereceptacle. The nozzle I6 is provided with 'a surface covering agitatoror surface cleaning member such as a rotary brush 32, the brush 16 beingmounted for rotation about its axis within the lower portion of thenozzle l6 and so that upon rotation of the brush 32 the bristles 35thereof will project through the mouth 22 of. the nozzle and engage thesurface covering to be. cleaned. The motor shaft 26 projects into theupper part of the nozzle l6, anda belt 36 passing over suitably formedparts of the shaft 28 and brush 32 is adapted to provide a drivingconnection'between the same for driving the brush upon operation of themotor 24. Opposite the shaft the forward wall of the nozzle I6 isprovided with a circular opening 38 normally covered by a plate 4|]which is removably secured in the position illustrated by spring catches42 which engage the edge of the opening 38.

When the machine is used for cleaning surface coverings on the floor,the'brush 32 is rotated, and the suction creating means induces a flowof air into the machine through the mouth 22, carrymg with it the dirtpicked up from the surface being cleaned andincluding that dislodgedbythe rotation of the brush 32. When it is desired to use the machinefor suction cleaning, the plate lliis removed and the converter toolattach- 0 ment indicated generally at 44 is inserted .in the openingSB.The pants of the converter-tool attachment. are shown in the explodedposition shown in Fig. 4 and consist of an outer sleeveAB.

and an inner sleeve 48 arranged for a limited 45- relative rotationtherebetween. The outer sleeve 46 at its sides is provided with guides50 which slide, within complementary formed channels 5| provided inthe'front walifof the nozzle IS. The sleeve 46 is formed with aperipheral slot 52 and iscut away so as to provide a finger which hasthe latch 56 formed on the end thereof, The slots 58 and 60 provided inthe wall of the sleeve 46 are adapted to accommodate the belt 36,

. when the sleeve is-inserted into the cleaner to a position asillustrated in Fig. 2. In this position ranged just below the shaft 26.

it will be observed that the inside end 62 of the sleeve 46 projectswithin the circular opening 30 and that the outer periphery of thesleeve 46 adjacent the end 62 thereof seats on the edge of the opening30 and has a fairly close fit therewith. The finger 54, it will beobserved, referring to Fig. 2, is provided with a set so that the latch56 will clear the edge of the opening36 when the attachtment is insertedinto the cleaner. The opening 30 is circular in form, as is the sleeve46, and the finger 54 preferably is bent at its extremity toward theaxis of the sleeve so that when the parts of the attachment are in theposition illustrated in Fig. 2, the latch 56 will clear the edge of theopening 30.

The inner sleeve 48 is provided with a lever 64 which extends throughthe slot 52 and is arranged within the sleeve 46 so that the innersleeve 48 may turn through approximately 180 of rotation with respect tothe outer sleeve 48 which is held against rotation by the guides 50 andThe sleeve 48 at its inner end thereof is provided with an axiallyextending slot 66 which is adapted to accommodate the belt 36 when theattachment 44 is inserted within the cleaner. circumferentiallyextending slot communicating at one end thereof with the slot as, theslot 10 being adapted to accommodate the belt 36 when the sleeve 48 isrotated through its 180 of travel. A part of the sleeve 48 may be formedso as to provide a finger 12 which, when the attachment 4.4 is insertedwithin the port or opening in the wall of the cleaner, is adapted toproject between the parts of the belt 36 and to bear- When the innersleeve is rotated through 180 of travel by means of the lever 64, theinner sleeve 46 will be arranged as illustrated in Fig. 6 where in, itwill be observed, the finger 12 holds the belt out of engagement withthe end of the shaft 26, thereby breaking the driving connection betweenthe shaft 26 and the brush 32. The horizontally arranged part of thefinger 12 will, upon rotation of the sleeve 46, travel in an arc aboutthe shaft 26 and will engage the belt at one side thereof and lift thesame out of contact with the driving end of the shaft 26. The belt 36preferably is constructed of rubber or other flexible material, .-so asto permit the-foregoing action to take place. When the sleeve 48 isarranged as illustrated in Fig. 2, it will be observed that the slots 68and 60 are open; i. e., they are not covered by a part of the-sleeve 48,whereas, referring to. Fig. 8, it will be observed that a part 14 of thesleeve 46 has closed off the slots 58 and 60 except 'for the inner endsthereof through which the belt 36 passes. In this way the communicationbetween the nozzle I6 and the fan chamber I4 is substantially cut oif,and also the driving connec- 'tion between the shaft 26 and the brush 32has been broken.

The part 14 of the sleeve 461s shaped in the form of a cam so as to biasthe finger 54 from the position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 2,'to the position in which it is illustrated in Fig. 6,

wherein the latch 56 overlaps the edge of the opening 30 for locking theconverter tool attachment to the port 36. This latching action takesplace simultaneously with the disengagement of The sleeve 48 also isprovided with a accidental rotation relative to the sleeve 56. Byreversing the rotation of the sleeve 46 relative to the sleeve 46, thefinger 12 will be returned to the position illustrated in Fig. 3, andthe latch 56 will be disengaged so that the attachment 4% may be removedfrom the cleaner.

As previously pointed out, the attachment l i operates to cut off thesuction at the mouth of the nozzle 22 and at the same time disconnectsthe brush 32 from its driving means; When the parts ar arranged in Fig.6, the suction created by the fan I8 is imparted through the attachment44 to cleaning or dusting tools which may be suitably connected to thatpart of the attachment it which projects forwardly of the nozzle 66. Theend of the sleeve 46 may be provided with a shoulder 84 which forms apart of the coupling by means of which the suction or cleaning tools maybe connected to the attachment 44.

While the invention has been described with some detail, it is to beunderstood that the description is for the purpose of illustration onlyand is not definitive of the limits of the inventive idea. The right isreserved to make such changes in the details of construction andarrangement. of parts as will fall within the purview of the attachedclaims.

We claim:

1. A converter attachment fora suction cleaner having a driving motor,suction creating means driven by said motor, a surface cleaning member,a driving connection between said motor and said member for actuatingthe latter during operation of .said motor, said cleaner being providedwith an air intake port communicating with said suction creating meansand having coupling means associated therewith, both said drivingconnection and port being on the same side of said motor, and a floornozzle operatively connected to saidport and having said surfacecleaning member operatively associated therewith: said converterattachment comprising a hollow member adapted to be connected with saidport; in air conducting relationship therewith and provided withcoupling means which are cooperable with the aforesaid coupling meansfor detachably holding said attachment in operative position withrespect to said port, ajmanually operable device carried by saidattachment and movable relative thereto for rendering said couplingmeans operative, and means actuated by said device, carried by saidattachment and directly cooperable with p a part of said drivingconnection for breakin and remaking said driving connection between saidmotor andsaid member, said hollow member of said converter attachmenthaving provision for connecting a suction cleaning tool thereto andbeing adapted when connected to said port, to obstruct the operativeconnection between said port and said floor nozzle.

2. 'A converter attachment for a suctioncleaner having a driving motor,suction creating means driven by said motor, a nozzle communicating withsaid suction creating means and having a surface cleaning memberassociated therewith, and a driving connection between said motor andsaid member for actuating the latter, said cleaner being provided withan air intake port communicating with said nozzle and. suction creatingmeans and through which said driving connection extends between saidmotor and said surface cleaning member: said converter attachment beingadapted to be arranged in air conducting relationship with said port andwhen so arranged attachment isconne'cted with said port, saidattachment'being provided with means on said airconducting' member whichare cooperable with said driving connection for selectively breakingandiremaking the same while said attachment is man conductingrelation-with said port.

' 3. A converter attachment for use with a suc tion cleaner having adriving motor, suction creating means driven by said motor, a nozzlecommunicating with said suction creating means and a surface cleaningmember associated therewith, and a driving connection between said motorand said member for actuating the latter, said cleaner'b'eing providedwith a port communieating with said nozzle and suction creating means:said converter attachment being adapted to-be seated on said port in airconducting relationship therewith by movement in the direction in whichair flows through said port to obstruct the communication between saidnozzle and said suction creating means; guide means formed on saidcleaner and on said attachment which are cooperable for guiding saidattachment upon movement toward its seat on said port, and which preventrelative rotation between said cleaner and said attachment, saidattachment forming an air conducting member and having provision forconnecting a suction cleaning tool thereto, and said attachment beingprovided with relatively movable means inside of said air conductingmember' which are cooperable with said driving connection for breakingthe same while said attachment is in air conducting relation with saidport.

4. A converter attachment for use with a sucsaid members when saidattachment is in air tion cleaner having a driving motor, a fan drivenby said motor..a surface cleaning nozzle com- ,municating with said-fanand having a mouth and a surface cleaning'member associated therewith,

and a driving connection between said motor and said member foractuating the latter during operation of said motor, said cleaner beingprovided with an air intake port aifording communication between saidfanand nozzleand having coupling means associated therewith. said portextending across every line' of air flow between shaft member andsuction 'creating'means driven thereby, a surface cleaning member, abelt drive between said members for driving said cleaning member, saidcleaner being provided with aport communicating with said suctioncreating means and through which said shaft'mem-ber extends: saidconverter attachmentbeing adapted to be connected with and disconnectedfrom said port and said cleaner, said converter being constructed andarranged so as to form at leastpart of a conduit for the flow of airfrom a suction cleaning tool to said port and into which con-- duit atleast a part of said belt isarranged when said converter attachment isconnected with said port in air conducting relationship therewith, andsaid attachment having means thereon, en-

,gageable with that part of said belt which is arranged in said conduitwhen said attachment is connected to said port in air conductingrelationship'therewith, and operable for lifting said belt out ofdriving relationship with one of said members.

6. A converter attachment for use with a suctioncleaner having drivingmeans including a shaft member and a fan driven'thereby, asurface-cleaning member, a belt drive between said members for drivingsaidcleaning member, said fan being provided with an air port concentricwith the axis thereof-:, said converter attachment having one endthereof formed to seat on said port in air conducting relationshiptherewith and being adapted to be connected with and disconnected fromsaid port by movement in a direction parallel to said shaft member, andsaid attachment being provided with means therein cooperable with saidbelt drive for lifting the belt thereof out of driving relationship withone of conducting relationship with said port.

'7. For use with a suction cleaner having driving means, suctioncreating means driven thereby and provided with an air intake port, anozzle communicating through said port with said suction creating meansand having a surface cleanthe'mouth of the nozzle and the axis of saidfan: said converter attachment comprising a 1101-.

low air conducting member adapted to be connected' with said port in-airconducting relationship therewith and having coupling means which arecooperable with the aforesaid coupling means for detachably holding saidattachment in-operative position with respect to said port, saidattachment being formed so as to have a part of said driving connectionarranged within and extending; through the wall of said air conductingmember when connected to said port, said attachmentbeing constructed andarranged so as to close the communication between said nozzle and saidfan around saiddriving connection; and means associated with saidattachment and cooperable'with said driving connection for breaking thesame when said attachment is connected with'said. port in air-conductingrelationship therewith. a

5. Aconverter. attachment for use with a suc- I thereto.

ing member associated therewith, a driving connection including, a beltbetween said drivin means and said member for driving .the latter duringoperation of said driving means, both said driving connection and portbeing on the same side of said driving and suction creating means, saidnozzle being provided with a normally closed converter port: 'aconverter attachment comprising a hollow air conducting member adaptedthrough said converter port to be arranged in air conductingrelationship with said air intake port for connecting suction cleaningtools with said suction creating means, said attachment beingconstructed'so asto be readily detachably connectable with anddisconnectable from said cleaner, a part of said attachment beingcooperable directly with said belt of said driving connection forrendering the same inoperative and operative, said attachment havingapart thereof arranged exterlorly of said cleaner having pro-. visionfor connecting a suction cleaning tool 8. A converter attachment for a"suction cleaner having driving means, suction creating I meansdriven-thereby and provided, with a port, a

tion cleaner having driving means including a II floor nozzlecommunicating with theport and having 'a surface cleaning -memberassociated therewith,'a part of said nozzle being adapted to be coveredby a removable plate, a shaft con- ,nected to said driving means andextending through said port into mm of said nozzle, a belt drive betweensaid shaft'and said surface cleaning member: said converter attachmentcomprising a pair of sleeves telescopically arranged and the inner oneof which is adapted to have a limited rotation relative to the outerone, said attachment being adapted to be arranged in air conductingrelationship with the port in said suction creating means when saidplate is removed, said sleeves having portions thereof cut away foraccommodating the belt upon arrangement of said attachment in airconducting relation with said port and one of saidsleeves being providedwith means engageable with said belt for disconnecting the same fromsaid shaft upon rotation of said inner sleeve with respect .tosaidouterv sleeve, said attachment projecting from the cleaner and beingprovided with means for attaching a suction cleaning tool thereto.

9. For a suction cleaner having suction creating means having aninletport, driving means therefor, a nozzle having a surface cleaning memberassociated therewith and connected with said suction creating meansthrough saidinlet port, a belt forming a drive between said drivingmeans and said surface cleaning member: a means for breaking thecommunication between said nozzle and said suction creating means andfor disengaging said belt drive comprising a tubular member open atjbothends and adapted to have one of its ends seated on said port to obstructa part of the nozzle for shutting off the communication between the sameand .the suction creating means, said tubular member being adapted tohave said driving means and a part of said belt arranged therein, said"tubular member being provided with a part therein which is directlyengageable with said belt and which upon movement thereof is adapted tolift the belt out of driving relationship with its driving means, saidtubular member, on the other end thereof, which projects through thenozzle of said cleaner, beingprovided with coupling means for attachinga suction cleaning tool thereto and being constructed and arranged toform at least part of face cleaning member: an attachment compris ing asleeve adapted to be connected to and disconnected from said port andcleaner without disturbing said nozzle or said belt drive and operablefor breaking the communication between said nozzle and said suctioncreating means; and means arranged on said sleeve, engageable with apart of said belt and operable for lifting the same out of drivingrelationship with said shaft, said sleeve at its outer end havingprovision for connection with a suction cleaning tool and forming atleast part of a conduit for. the flow of air from said suction cleaningtool to said port.

11. A' converter attachment for a suction cleaner having driving means,suction creating means driven thereby and having a port, a floor nozzlecommunicating with said port and having a surface cleaning memberassociated therewith, a shaft connected with said driving means andextending through said port into a part of said nozzle, a belt forming adrive between said shaft and said surface cleaning member: saidattachment comprising a sleeve adapted to be connected to anddisconnected from said port and cleaner and operable when connected tosaid p rt for breaking the communication between said nozzle and saidsuction creating means, means arranged within said sleeve and engageablewith said belt for lifting the same out of driving relationship withsaid shaft, said sleeve at its outer end having provision for connectionwith a suction cleaning tool, and means for connecting said sleeve tosaid cleaner so as to prevent the accidental displacement of the sleevefrom said port, said sleeve being formed so that it may be connected toand disconnected from said port without disconnecting said nozzle fromthe cleaner.

12. A converter attachment for a suction cleaner including drivingmeans, suction creating means driven thereby and provided with a port, anozzle communicating with said port and having a surface cleaning memberassociated therewith, a shaft connected with said driving mechanism, abelt drive between said shaft and said cleaning member: said converterattachment being adapted to be connected with said said attachmenthaving a latch engageable with a part of said cleaner for holding saidsleeve against accidental displacement, said sleevebeing adapted totelescope said, shaft and having axially extending slots formed in thewall thereof for accommodating said belt when the end of said sleeve isseated on said port, said attachment further including an inner sleeverotatably mounted within the outer sleeve and provided with means forengaging the belt for lifting the same out of engagement with saidshaft, said inner sleeve being provided with an axially extending slotand with a circumferentially extending slot communicating at one endthereof with said axially extending slot for accommodating said belt, apart of said inner sleeve being adapted to overlie the slots in theouter sleeve when said belt is held out of engagement with said shaft,means actuated by movement of said inner sleeve cooperable with saidlatch for engaging and disengaging the same from said part of saidcleaner, and a detent arranged between said sleeves for holding theinner sleeve against movement when the belt is disengaged from saidshaftand said outer sleeve is latched to the cleaner.

' 13. For connecting suction cleaning tools with a suction cleanerhaving driving means, suction creating means driven thereby and providedwith an air intake port, a nozzle communicating with said port andhaving a surface cleaning member associated therewith, a shaft connectedwith said driving means and projecting through said port at the centerthereof into said nozzle, said nozzle being provided with a normallyclosed converter port,'said shaft forming partof a driving connectionextending through-said nozzle and between said driving means and saidcleaning member for actuating the latter during operation of saiddriving means: a converter attachment adapted to be removably insertedin said converter port and operable for breaking the communicationbetween said nozzle and said air intake port and the driving connectionbetween said shaft and said cleaning member, said converter attachmentcomprising an air conducting couplingmember adapted to have one endthereof arranged in air conducting relationship with said air intakeport and when so arranged to; break the communication between saidnozzle and said air intake port. means carried by said coupling memberand positioned offcenter relative to said shaft when the converter isarranged in air conducting relation- ,ship with said air intake po'rt,said last-menj.tioned.

eans 'being engageable with a. torque transmitt g part of said'drivingconnection for disconnecting such torque transmitting part from saiddriving means for breaking said driving connection between said drivingmeans and said surface cleaning member, said converter attachment whenarranged inoperative-position in said converter port-having a part ofsaid attachment projecting from the cleaner through said converter port,said projecting part of said attach ment having provision forconnectionwith a suction cleaning tool.

14. For use'with a suction cleaner having driving means, suctioncreating'means driven thereby, anozzle communicating with said suctioncreating means and-having a surface. cleaning member associatedtherewith, a driving connection including a belt between saiddrivingmeans and said member for actuating the latter during operation of saiddriving means, said cleaner being provided with a port communicatingwith i said suction creating means and arranged on the samefside of saiddriving means as said driving connection: a converter attachment adaptedto be arranged in air conducting relationship with said port by movementin the direction in which airjflows through said port and to-shut offthe communication between said nozzle and saidsuction creating means,and manually operable mov- -'able means carried by said attachment and.di-

rectly cooperable with said belt of'said driving ing. said manuallyoperable device in position where said driving connection is broken.

connection for disengaging and engaging the' same. I

'15, For use with a suction cleaner having a f ing means driven thereby,a port communicating.

withsaid suction creating means, a nozzle having and port being on'thesame side of said motor, 7

and a floor nozzle'operatively connected to said ,port and said surfacecleaning member operativelyassociated therewith: a c0nverter at-'tachment comprising "a hollow member adapted to be connected with saidport inair conducting relationship therewith and provided with counlinsmeans which are. cooperable with the aforesaid coupling m'eansfordetachably holding said attachment-in operative position with respect tosaid port, a manually'operable device carried by said attachment andmovable relative thereto for rendering said coupling means operative,and

.means actuated by said device, carried by-said attachment and directlycooperable with a part of said driving connection for breaking and re- 1said driving between said 'motor and said lnember said hollow member ofconverter attachment having provision for a thereto and when connectedto said port,.;being adapiedto shut oi! the operative" bctwcen said Portsaid floor nozzle, and a latch for holdand extending through said portin spaced rela- 16, A converter attachment for operatively con- 'nectingsuction cleaning tools with a suction cleaner having driving means,suction creating means driven thereby, an air intake port communicatirigwith said suction creatinggmeans, a nozzle having a substantiallyunobstructed airflow communication with said suction creating meansthrough said port and a normally closed converter opening, a shaftdriven by said driving means andextending through said port in spacedrelationship with the edges thereof into said nozzle, a surface cleaningmember associated with said nozzle and a belt forming at least part of adriving connection which is'arranged in said nozzle and which extendsbetween said shaft and.

said member for actuating the latter during cperation of said drivingmeans, both said belt and shaft being arranged in spaced'r'elationshipwith the walls of said nozzle: said converter attachment comprising .ahollow air conducting member adapted to be inserted through saidconverter opening into said nozzle and seated therein so as to form atleast part of a conduit for the flow ofair from a suction cleaningtool-to said port,said converter attachment being adapted to traversethepath of said driving connection and having a part of ,the wallsthereof cut away for accommodating said driving connection so as to per-,r'nit said converter attachment to be insertedthrough said converteropening into said nozzle and seated therein and have said drivingconnection extending through said'cutaway part of *said attachment, anda shiftable member carried by said attachment and movable relativethereto to a position .to close'that portion of the cutaway .part of thewalls of said attachment not occupied by said driving connection so asto shut off said communication between said'port and nozzle.

1'7. A converter attachment for use with a suc- .tion cleaner havingdriving means, suction creata substantially unobstructed air' flowcommunication with said suction creating means through said port, ashaft driven by said driving means tionship with the edge thereof, asurface cleaning member associated with said nozzle and a belt formingat least part of a driving connection between said shaft and saidmember: said converter attachment comprising a tubular air conductingmember having-one end thereof conforming to the shape of and adapted tobe connected to said port by movement in the direction in which airflows through said port and when so connected to telescopethe end ofsaid shaft, said air. conducting member beingadapted to traversethe'path of saidbelt and have a part of said belt arranged therein andtransversely'thereof. when connected to said port,.said air conductingmemher having a part or the walls thereof cut away for receiving saidbelt so as to permit said air conducting member to be connected withsaid port while said belt is connected with said shaft and so as topermit said belt to extend from one side of the wall of said airconducting member to the other, said tubular member when the sameisconnected with said port having its walls arranged substantiallyparallel with the axis of'said port,-

andbeing adapted to close of! the communication between said nozzleandsaid port.

' 18. A converter attachment for use with a suction cleaner havingdriving means, suction creatins means thereby, a port communicating withsaid suction creating means, a nozzle having a substantiallyunobstructed air flow communication with said suction creating meansthrough said port, a shaft driven by said driving means and extending.into said communieatioma surface. cleaning member associated with saidnoz'- ale and a belt forming at least part oi a drivln: connection whichis arranged in said communicasaid member: said converter attachmentcomprisinga hollow air conducting member to.be connected to said portinair conducting relationship therewith "'and for shutting oi! thecommunication between morale and saidsucis tion creating means, said airconducting having a part oi thereof cut away (or receiving said, beltwas .to-permitesaid air con-' ducting-member to beconnectedtoseid portwith j 8a(1 belt throush thewall oi s mm 20 the interior to theexterior. oi. said air conducting member, and a member carried bysaidattach-4 vment'and movable toa Position'to obstructthat I portion ofthe cutaway D rt oi the walls'ot said air conducting member not occupiedby said belt. gs. utility tools to. the cleanerysaidi coupling cornprising a tubular air conducting body portion 19. For a suction cleanercomprising s ian case having a centrally arrangedinlet opening,-a tanshaft having a fan rotatablymounted insaidfan case, asuction nosaiehaving a floorengaging mouth operativelyoonnected with the inlet opengoing oi said tan anopening proriding ioraccess tosaidinletopenlng.anasitator mountedfin floor mine mouth oi'said nozzle, a belt connectingthe ian'shait'with said agitator ior driving the same duringoperation 35or said tan .a removable converter coupling tor attaching utility tools.in said cleaner comprising ahollowairconductingmunber extendcdthroughthe nozzle opening traverse Path of said belt and haveone end thereof'en 4 within said inlet openingand includingrotatabie belt shit-ting forlii'tingthe' bat tree irom thefanshaft. Y

20. A converter attachmm't i'or-a' cleaner having a driving motor,suction creatins 45 means driven thereby. a circular port communieating;with said suction creating means. a floor nozzle communicating with saidsuction creating means through said port, a surface coveringagitatoroperatively associated Iwiththe mouth 01' said nozzle and adriving connection including a belt and pulley betweensaid motor andasitator K for actuating the latter: said attachment com-' prising acoupling member having 'a cylindricalend'adantedtobeamng'cdonsaidportinair 5 conducting relationship (orobnructing the com munication oi said noazlewith said port and pro:

vision for connecting .a suction cleaning tool totheother'endthereozmeans withinsaid coupling member and engageable withsaid belt for lifting the same out of driving relationship with said apulley when said coupling member is associated with said port, and meansifor j aration of III! fitment m 811d cleaner. out o! es" s dpullem, v e

-F0r a'suiction cleaner includingaiancasehavingacentrallyarrangedairinletopeninma i'anshatthavingaianrotatablv'mountedinsaidiancasa'afloorcleaningnomleextendingi'romgorotatingthesanie during theoperation or tan:-' a coupling. forattachsltatormouni'edinthemduthotsaidnoasle a.

for driving the same during. operation oisaid'fan aconverter couplingfor operatively connecting thereof seated in said inlet opening in airconducting'relationship therewith autubular member rotatablymountedjwithin bodyportion and belt shifting means associated there--tion and which extends between said shalt and "10 wifiili means forpreventing the application olfthe converter coupling to the machineexcept ,when said belt shitting meansis inproper align ment with respectte'the belt.

W 22. For a suction cleaner inciudinga fan case having a centrallyarranged inlet openins. a, fan

shalt havinga ran rotatab v'inon ted ini-s id ran case, a iloor cleaningno zzleiextending from the fan case andhaving" a mouth ope v with saidinlet pnina'and an o g.- P

V141!!! gfor access to said inlet opening, an into-tor mounted in "themouth :oi said gnome a o e ting the-fanshait withsaid-agitator ;fordriving the same during operation oisaidian.

a converter coupling i'or operatively connecting associated therewith,and means for preventing the-end oi said tubular portionji'rom beingseated on said-inlet opening except when -said beltshiiting means is inproper alignment. with.

respecttos'aid-belt. 1 2 28. For a suction cleaner comprising aian casehaving. a centrally arranged inlet -op'ening,i.a tan shalt-having a tenrotatably mounted in said. an

.case. a suction nozzle having a mouth operatively connected with the'inlet-openinrofsaidian case and having an opening 1 therein providingio'raccess to said inletopening an agitatormounted; in the floorengasins mouth of said-nozzle, a belt:

connecting the Ian shalt with said agitatorior rotating the agitatorduring the operation of said ran; a removableconvertercoupling torattachin: utility tools to said cleaner comprising a hollow .air,oonducting extended through the-name opening and adapted to. traversethe path of belt and have one end thereof-seated within said inletopening and'includin'g movable belt shiitingm'eans operable for liftingbelt tree'irom the (an shaft, said converter couplingprOvidedLwith amember operation of said belt means ,aiter said end'oisaid coupling isseated in saidiinlet open--.

ing. to nsure a part of said cleaner for removably securing said one endoi'said coupling within.

said inlet opening.

I 24. For a suction clesnercomprisinga i'an case 1 having a centrallyarranged inlet opening, a

having a tan rotatably mounted n said i'an case, a suction-noaslehavin'g'a mouth operative.y

connected with the inlet opening of'said tan case and-having an openingtherein providing-for a e s to s id inl t an sita or m unted in engagingmouth of said noasle, abelt connecting the fan shaft with said agitatorfor his utility tools cleanercomprising a hollow member extended throughthe nozzle openbelt connecting the tan mm with said outta r 1's .lnsandadapted to'trav'erse the path oi saidbeltseated within ing a shaft, saidnozzle,

' aaeaooa and have one end thereof 'seated within said inlet opening andincluding belt shifting means within saidhollow member operable forlifting-the belt free from the fan shaft, and detent means operable forholding said belt shifting means against movement relative to saidhollow member when said belt shifting means is in aposition in which itis holding the belt free of the fan shaft.

25. For a suction cleaner comprising a fan case having a centrallyarranged air inlet. opening, a shaft having a fan rotatablymounted insaid fan case, a suction nozzle having a mouth operativelyconnected-with the inlet opening of said fan case and having an openingtherein providing for access to said inlet opening, a surface cleaningmember mounted in the floor engaging mouth of. said nozzle, a beltconnecting the fan shaft with I -said member for operating the sameduring the operation of said fan: a removable converter coupling forattaching utility tools to said cleaner comprising a hollow memberextended through the nozzle opening and adapted to traverse the path ofsaid belt and have one end thereof said inlet opening and including beltshifting means within said hollow member operable for lifting the beltfree-from the fan shaft, detent means operable for holding said beltshifting means against movement relative to said hollowmember when saidbeltshifting means is in a position in which it is holding the belt freei of the fan shaft, and means operable to prevent movement of saidconverter coupling relative to said cleaner while the belt shiftingmeans is holding the beltf-ree of the fan shaft.

26; For asuction cleaner having a motor,;a fan driven thereby andprovided with an air inlet port, a nozzle communicating with said fanthrough said port and having a surface cleaning member associatedtherewith, a shaft driven by said motor and forming part of a drivingconsaid agitator for driving the same during oper- 28. For a suctioncleaner comprising a fan case having a centrally arranged air inletport, a fan shaft having a fan rotatably mounted in said fan case andproJecting through said air inlet port, a suction nozzle having a mouthoperatively connected with the inlet port of said fan. case and having aconverter opening provldingfor access to said inlet port, an agitatormounted in the mouth of said nozzle, a belt in said nozzle connectingthe fan shaft with said agitator for driving the same during Operationof said fan: a removable converter coupling, for connecting .suctioncleaning tools-with said fan air-inlet port of said cleaner, comprisingahollow air conducting member which has provision for attaching asuction cleaning tool thereto, said con-- verter coupling beingconstructed so that it may be removably seated in said converteropening, without disconnecting said belt drive, and form part arepassageway for conducting dirt laden air from said suction cleaning toolto said fan air inlet port during operation of said fan, said convertercoupling further including means carried thereby and operable to engagesaid belt for lifting the same free from said fan shaft when saidconverter coupling is seated in said converter opening.

nection between said motor and said-cleaning member for actuating thelatter during operation of said motor, said driving connection extendingthrough said port: a converterattach- .ment adapted to be arranged inair conducting relationship with said port for breaking thecommunication of said nozzle therewith and for breaking said drivingconnection, said'attach ment comprising a sleeve adapted to traverse thepath of said driving connection and to be connected to said port in airconducting relationship therewith, the wall of said sleeve having aportion thereof cut away for accommodating said driving connection whenthe end'of'said'sleeveis seated on said port in air conductingrelation-- ship therewith, said attachment furtherincluding a membermounted on and movable relative to said sleeve, means which arecooperable with said driving connection for disensas'ina the same uponmovement of said member relative to said 29. In combination with asuction cleaner having driving means, suction creating means driventhereby, an air intake port communicating with said suction creatingmeans, 'a nozzle having av substantially unobstructed air flowcommunication with said suction creating means through said port and anormally closed converter opena shaft driven by said driving means andextending throughsaid port and 'in spaced rela-' tionship with the edgesthereof into said nozzle, a

surface cleaning member associated with said nozzle and a belt formingat least part 'or a driving connection which is arranged in said nozzleand which extends between said shaft and g said member for actuating thelatter during op-. eration of said-driving means, a converter foroperatively connecting suction cleaning tools to said cleaner, saidconverter comprising a hollow air conducting member adapted to beinserted through said converter opening into said nozzle and seatedtherein so as to form at least part sleeve, said member upon movementthereof being adapted to'close that part of I said cut away portion ingconnection when said driving connection is broken. g

, 27. For a suction cleaner comprising" a fan case having a centrally.arranged air inlet port, a suction nozzle having a mouth operativelyconnected with'said port. and having a converter openingproviding foraccess tosaid port, a fan rotatably mounted in' said fan case and havanagitator mounted in the mouth of a belt connecting the fan shaft with ofsaid sleeve not occupied by said drivshaft.

of a conduit for the flowof from a suction cleaning tool to said portand to shut oil! communication between said port and nozzle, saidconverter being adapted to traverse the path of said belt'and a part'ofthe walls thereof cut away for acco said belt so as to permit saidconverter to be inserted through said converter opening into said nozzleand seated therein and have said belt extending through saidcutaway partof saidigiaverter, and means engageable with said belt operable forlifting the same out of driving relationship with said nome n. JA Qurrn.mrrrn n. ELIIO'IT.

